Honora Fresh Water Pearls FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Here's a list of answers to your most frequently asked questions about Honora.

+ My pearl jewelry is broken, can you help?

Even the things we love break sometimes. It happens to us, too! We can absolutely get through this together.

Follow the instructions below to ship your damaged item to our repair department. We’ll get the piece fixed up and shipped back to you ASAP!

Package your damaged item carefully for shipment via UPS, USPS Priority Mail, or another traceable mail carrier service. Enclose your personal information - your name, address, phone number, and email - along with any paperwork that you might have and any specific instructions. Please DO NOT send the original pouches or packaging received at the time of purchase along with your item as it may not be returned.

Mail us your item to the address provided below, making note of your tracking info. We recommend that you insure your package for the value of your original purchase in the unlikely event that your package gets lost in transit! Honora is not responsible for lost packages.

We will contact you before we begin work on your piece if there are any charges associated with your repair. Please note traditional restringing of broken necklaces or bracelets is done at no charge - as long as you have all of the pearls and elements.

Please allow for 3 to 4 weeks for all repairs.

+ I lost half of a pair of pearl earrings, can this be replaced?

Wait, where’s the other one?? We’ve all been there, like missing socks, losing ½ of a pair is almost worse than losing the whole set. Almost. Fortunately, we can help you get a replacement through our repair department. In order to perfectly match your earrings, we will need you to send us your remaining half. Don’t fear! We will return it to you as a complete pair. Please follow the instructions below.

Package your single item carefully for shipment via UPS, USPS Priority Mail, or other traceable mail carrier service. Enclose your personal information - your name, address, phone number, and email, along with any paperwork that you might have and any specific instructions. Please DO NOT send the original pouches or packaging received at the time of purchase along with your item as it may not be returned.

Mail us your item to the address provided below, making note of your tracking info. We recommend that you insure your package for the value of your original purchase in the unlikely event that your package gets lost in transit! Honora is not responsible for lost packages.

We will contact you once we receive your single item to confirm that we have its missing mate and to let you know whether there are any charges associated with your request.

Please allow for 3 to 4 weeks for the restoration of unmatched pairs.

+ Can you restring my pearls?

In a word? Yes! If your pearls are broken or have become damaged through the course of normal wear we are more than happy to restring them at no charge. If your strand is not damaged or if there is clear negligence, there is a modest stringing and shipping charge of $15.

To have your pearls restrung please follow the instructions below:

Package your item carefully for shipment via UPS, USPS Priority Mail, or other traceable mail carrier service. Be sure to include all of the pearls and elements. Enclose your personal information - your name, address, phone number, and email, along with any paperwork that you might have and any specific instructions. Please DO NOT send the original pouches or packaging received at the time of purchase along with your item as it may not be returned.

Mail us your item to the address provided below. Please make note of your tracking info. We recommend that you insure your package for the value of your original purchase in the unlikely event that your package gets lost in transit! HONORA is not responsible for lost packages.

We will contact you before we begin restringing your piece and let you know if there are any charges associated with your repair.

Please allow for 3 to 4 weeks for all repairs.

+ How long should my repair take?

While we always to our best to get you your pearls as quickly as possible, you should expect your pearls back 3 to 4 weeks after we receive them. If for some reason, your repair will take longer, we will be sure to contact you ahead of time.

+ How much will my repair cost?

It’s tricky for us to estimate the cost of a repair before receiving the piece that needs fixing. Once you have shipped your jewelry to us, we will reach out to you before we begin any work with an estimated price. For this reason, remember to always include your contact information in all shipments to our repair department. We always do our best to keep any repair costs as low as possible.

+ My pearls are kinked, what can I do?

Kinks can occasionally occur with new pearls when the stringing is particularly tight. Thankfully there is an easy solution to work these out! Simply take the pearl necklace or bracelet between your thumb and your forefinger and carefully pull the strand through a few times while applying gentle pressure. This will almost always help the pearls to relax. Be careful not to pull too hard or apply too much pressure - the goal is to simply ease the tension of the stringing.

+ Are pearl cleaners safe?

We do NOT recommend using any pearl cleaners on your jewelry, even those that claim to be “pearl safe”. If your pearls need cleaning we suggest simply wiping your pearls down with a dry or slightly damp cloth or taking them to a local jeweler if additional cleaning is required.

+ How should I clean my pearl jewelry?

The first key to long-lasting pearl jewelry is preservation! We strongly suggest keeping your pearls in a pouch or jewelry box in a dry and cool space. Ensure that your pearls are not touching any other jewelry as this can cause damage to the pearls themselves or to the stringing.

If your pearls need cleaning we suggest simply wiping your pearls down with a dry or slightly damp cloth. We do NOT recommend using any pearl cleaners on your jewelry, even those that claim to be “pearl safe”. If additional cleaning is required take your pearls to a local jeweler or visit our Get in Touch page to get in touch with us.

+ How should I store my pearl jewelry?

We strongly suggest that you keep your pearls in a pouch and or in a jewelry box in a dry, cool place. Make sure that your pearls do not touch any other jewelry to avoid potential damage to the pearls or to the stringing.

+ Can I store my jewelry in an anti-tarnish jewelry box?

Yes! Anti-tarnish lining helps keep the precious metals in your jewelry from tarnishing (losing its luster) and are not known to do any damage to pearls.

+ Where can I buy Honora pearl jewelry?

All the goods on our site can be found at your local Honora retail store. Visit Get in Touch page and our Location Finder to find the one nearest you! Exclusive Collections can be found at select national and international partners, including QVC and Helzberg.

+ Can I buy directly from Honora?

All the goods on our site can be found at your local Honora retail store. Visit Get in Touch page and our Location Finder to find the one nearest you! Exclusive Collections can be found at select national and international partners, including QVC and Helzberg.

+ What do I do if the item I want is sold out?

We get sad when we see an ominous "Sold Out :( " message, too. If the jewelry you want has recently sold out through our national or international partners, we are happy to help when possible. Generally, if the sold out item is NO LONGER featured on our retailer's website, we CAN help you get it directly! Unfortunately, we will be unable to directly sell any items that are still featured online by our partners. Please visit our Get in Touch page to contact us & check availability.

+ Can I buy a custom pearl necklace?

If you are unable to find what you are looking for in our extensive selection we suggest that you contact your local Honora retailer using our Store Locator. They will have access to a wide array of designs and pearls that cannot be found anywhere else. Visit our Get in Touch page for details.

+ Can I submit an idea for a design?

We love hearing from our customers! Receiving your submissions is the best way for us to improve our designs going forward. In order to share your design, please visit our Get in Touch page and submit your ideas! Be sure to include a way for us to get back in touch with you!

+ What types of pearls does Honora sell?

At Honora, Freshwater Cultured Pearls are our main focus. We feature a selection of fine South Sea Cultured Pearls as well. Visit our Pearls of Wisdom page to learn more about pearl types. Please note that Honora no longer carries Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearls.

+ Are Honora pearls real?

Yes. We’re always 100% real with you! All of our Freshwater and South Sea Pearls are genuine Cultured Pearls. Visit our Pearls of Wisdom page to learn more about Cultured, Freshwater, and South Sea Pearls.

+ Are all Honora pearls' colors natural?

At Honora we carry both infused and naturally colored Freshwater Pearls, because life is about using the whole box of crayons! Visit our Pearls of Wisdom page to learn more about the very many varieties of pearls we carry and when we first started dying pearls.

+ Are all Honora pearls Cultured Pearls?

Yes - We sell Cultured Pearls for cultured girls! All of the pearls sold by Honora are genuine Cultured Pearls, including Freshwater Pearls, South Sea Pearls, and even the Japanese Akoya Pearls we used to sell. Visit our Pearls of Wisdom page to learn more about the pearls we carry.

+ What is a Cultured Pearl?

A Cultured Pearl is a pearl created under controlled conditions. Rather than waiting for a pearl to form naturally, the process of producing a Cultured Pearl begins when a mollusk is intentionally implanted with a seed, prompting the natural process of nacre formation to begin.

Cultured Pearls can be farmed using one of two very different groups of mollusks - Freshwater River Mussels and Saltwater Pearl Oysters.

Cultured Pearl take one-to-two years to grow into marketable gems, while natural pearls can take up to ten.” Visit our Pearls of Wisdom page to learn more about the pearls we carry.

+ What is a Freshwater Pearl?

A Freshwater Pearl is a variety of Cultured Pearl that is farmed in Freshwater lakes and rivers. These pearls are produced in Japan and the United States on a limited scale, but are now almost exclusively produced in China. Freshwater Pearls are formed using tissue nucleation, a newer cultivation process than the one used in South Sea Pearls or traditional Japanese Akoya Pearls. Visit our Pearls of Wisdom page to learn more about the pearls we carry.

+ What is Nacre?

Nacre is best known as Mother of Pearl. It is a strong, resilient, and iridescent material responsible for producing the glowing visual effect pearls are known for.

The process of pearl formation begins when an event occurs that damages the fragile rim of mollusk’s shell. In response, the mollusk secretes nacre to begin a healing process. Layer upon layer of nacre coats the irritant, which is usually no larger than a grain of sand, until a pearl formed. Visit our Pearls of Wisdom page to learn more about the pearls we carry.

+ How can I find out more information?

If you can’t find the info you need after going through our FAQ's & A's, visit our Get In Touch page and shoot us a message! We’re here to help.